Cleaning device having wringer device with push handle

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device includes a bucket, rolling members mounted on the bucket to moveably support the bucket, and a wringer device. The wringer device is removably positioned on the bucket. It includes a wringer for removing liquid from a mop, a wringer actuator for actuating the wringer, and a push handle extending above the wringer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning device and, moreparticularly, to a bucket and wringer device that eases transportationof the bucket and wringer.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Mop buckets are used to contain and move cleaning liquids, suchas water, solvent, floor wax, and/or disinfectant, to clean floors. Acommon commercial mop bucket has wheels to facilitate transport of themop bucket, as well as a wringer device which is used to wring excesscleaning liquid from the mop.

[0005] Conventional mop buckets often have a wire handle formed in aninverted “U” shape and connected to the top of the bucket. To move thebucket, the user may roll the bucket on its wheels by bending over andpulling on the handle. The user also may grab the handle, lift thebucket off the ground, and walk erect with the bucket. Alternatively,the user may place a mop in the bucket (typically, the bucket has awringer) and push the bucket by pushing the mop. If the bucket has awringer, the user may push or pull the bucket by grabbing the wringerhandle.

[0006] Conventional mop buckets can be difficult to transport to spills,particularly when space is limited, such as mall food courts and aislesof stores. In such an environment, the user often will not use a janitorcart to transport the mop bucket and wringer to spills due to hightraffic, obstacles, closer proximity to custodial closets, and becausehe or she likely only needs to transport a few cleaning supplies. Forexample, in a food court, the user typically will prepare to clean aspill by grabbing a mop bucket and wringer with one hand and a floorsign with the other hand, and hanging one or two spray bottles on therim of the mop bucket. It is difficult, however, to carry and maneuverthese tools and supplies in this way. If the bucket is steered intosomething, it may spill. Also, with buckets containing wringers, thewringer is typically not tightly secured to the bucket, so when thewringer handle is pushed or pulled to push or pull the bucket, thewringer can be easily lifted from the bucket. The spray bottles hangingon the rim of the bucket may drip cleaner onto the floor because thespray bottle handle can begin to leak due to stress caused by frequentlydropping the spray trigger onto the bucket rim and hanging the bottlefrom or near its spray trigger. The user may have difficulty carryingthe sign and, consequently, hang the sign on the wringer actuator, whichcauses the sign to protrude outwardly.

[0007] Also, the user does not display a professional image. He or shelooks unorganized, unsafe, and may give the store customers theperception that the proprietor is not concerned with how well thecleaning job is accomplished.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention relates to a cleaning device that includesa bucket, rolling members mounted on the bucket to moveably support thebucket, and a wringer device. The wringer device is removably positionedon the bucket. It includes a wringer for removing liquid from a mop, awringer actuator for actuating the wringer, and a push handle extendingabove the wringer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferredembodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve toexplain principles of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first preferred embodimentof a cleaning device according to the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the cleaning device of FIG.1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1showing a stored tool and supply.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a bucket and a side view of awringer device of the cleaning device of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a side view of the wringer device of the cleaning deviceof FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the cleaning device of FIG.1.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a side view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a bucket and a side view of awringer device of a second preferred embodiment of a cleaning deviceaccording to the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 9 is a side view of the wringer device of the cleaning deviceof FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to a presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same referencenumbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0020] FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first preferred embodiment of a cleaningdevice 10 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, thecleaning device 10 includes a bucket 20, rolling members 40, and awringer device 50.

[0021] The bucket 20 carries cleaning liquids. The bucket 20 includes aliquid-containing portion 21, which receives and holds cleaning fluids.The bucket 20 also can include a receiving portion 22, which, asexplained below, receives a portion of the wringer device 50 to maintainit in position on the bucket 20. The receiving portion 22 can beconfigured as a recess or well in the rear of the bucket 20.

[0022] The bucket 20 can include a canted rim 23. For example, it canhave a front height H1 of approximately 12.5 to 14.5 inches and a rearheight H2 of approximately 15 to 17 inches, relative to a surfacesupporting the cleaning device 10. See FIG. 3. The canted rim 23 isadvantageous because the higher back portion of the bucket 20 allows thewringer device to be made shorter to reduce costs, while maintaining asufficient height of the push handle 70.

[0023] The rolling members 40 are mounted directly to the bucket 20 tomoveably support the bucket 20. Rolling members 40 (preferably casters)can include wheel mounts 41 and wheels 42. See FIG. 3. The rollingmembers 40 preferably are mounted on an underside of the bucket 20. Bydirectly mounting the rolling members 40 to the bucket 20, it is notnecessary to provide additional apparatus, such as a cart, to moveablysupport the bucket 20. Consequently, costs can be reduced.

[0024] The wringer device 50 is removably positioned on the bucket 20.In other words, it can be readily placed on and removed from the bucket20. Preferably, there are no mechanical connectors connecting thewringer device 50 to the bucket 20. The wringer device 50 includes awringer 55, a wringer actuator 60, and a push handle 70.

[0025] In this preferred embodiment, the wringer device 50 includes agenerally planar portion 52. It is anticipated that this generallyplanar portion 52 can deviate from being strictly planar. For example,it can have a curvature in the vertical and/or horizontal directions. Asan overall configuration, however, it is generally planar. At least aportion of the wringer 55 and the generally planar portion 52 can beformed by an integral plastic member (preferably a single piece ofplastic). Preferably, the entire casing 56 of the wringer 55 and thegenerally planar portion 52 are formed of an integral plastic member.

[0026] The wringer device 50 includes an insertion portion 53 (see FIGS.4 to 7) configured to fit into the receiving portion 22 of the bucket20. In this preferred embodiment, the insertion portion 53 forms atleast a part of the generally planar portion 52. When the wringer device50 is disposed on the bucket 20, the wringer 55 extends into theliquid-containing portion 21 and the insertion portion 53 extends intothe receiving portion 22. The rear of the wringer 55 and the insertionportion 53 form a slot 54 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). A side wall 25 (see FIGS.4, 6, and 7) of the bucket 20 fits into the slot 54 and the insertionportion 53 fits into the receiving portion 22 of the bucket 20. Therecan be a conventional configuration to provide positive retentionbetween insertion portion 53 and the receiving portion 22. Thus, thewringer device 50 can be held in position on the bucket 20.

[0027] The wringer 55 can be a conventional wringer structure thatremoves liquid from a mop (not shown). Typically these devices work bysqueezing liquid from the mop. Preferably, the wringer 55 projects froma first side 57 of the generally planar portion 52. The outer casing ofthe wringer 55 is preferably molded with and integral with the generallyplanar portion 52. The wringer 55, however, can be mechanically attachedto the generally planar portion 52.

[0028] The wringer actuator 60 actuates the wringer 55 to cause it toremove liquid from the mop. The wringer actuator 60 can be a handle witha conventional mechanical connection (not shown) to the wringer 55 thatcauses the wringer 55 to be actuated when the handle is rotateddownward.

[0029] The push handle 70 is designed to facilitate pushing andmaneuvering of the bucket 20 and wringer device 50. In this preferredembodiment, the push handle 70 forms at least a part of the generallyplanar portion 52. The push handle 70 includes a hand grip 72 formed byan opening 73 in the generally planar portion 52. The width W of thepush handle 70 is preferably about 14 inches.

[0030] The push handle 70 extends above the wringer 55. The wringerdevice 50 preferably is configured such that the height H3 (see FIG. 3)of the push handle 70 is at least thirty inches above a surface uponwhich the cleaning device rests when the wringer device 50 is disposedon the bucket 20. More preferably, the wringer device 50 is configuredsuch that the push handle 70 is disposed within a range of thirty twoinches to forty inches above the surface upon which the cleaning devicerests when the wringer device 50 is disposed on the bucket 20. The pushhandle 70 preferably is disposed entirely above the wringer 55 andextends above the wringer actuator 60.

[0031] The wringer device 50 can include a hook 80 for hanging at leastone object. The hook 80 preferably projects from a second side 58 of thegenerally planar portion 52. The hook 80 (see FIG. 2) can be used tohang, for example, a floor sign 100.

[0032] The wringer device 50 also can include a holder 85 configured tohold at least one spray bottle 109. The holder 85 projects from a secondside 58 of the generally planar portion 52. The holder 85 can be acylindrically shaped member.

[0033] Preferably, the hook 80 and holder 85 are molded with andintegral with the generally planar portion 52. They could, however, bemechanically attached to the generally planar portion 52.

[0034] The present invention can be configured to provide significantadvantages, although achieving such advantages is not required topractice the invention. For example, the wringer device 50 allows a userto move the bucket 20 and wringer device 50 by pushing the push handle70 instead of bending over to pick up the bucket 20 or clumsily push thebucket 20 by pushing on a mop handle. The user also can carry cleaningsupplies by placing them on the hook 80 or in the holder 85, instead oftrying to juggle them or making multiple trips. This both reduces thechances of spillage of the fluid in the bucket 20 and spillage of thecleaners and provides ease of use and efficiency and impart a betterimage of the proprietor to the customers. Additionally, because the useris able to easily remove the wringer device 50 from the bucket 20, he orshe can more quickly and easily empty the bucket 20. Of course, otheradvantages also can be obtained by utilizing the present invention.

[0035]FIGS. 8 and 9 show a second preferred embodiment of a cleaningdevice 110 according to the present invention. This cleaning device 110is similar in many respects to the first embodiment. In this secondembodiment, however, the receiving portion 22 of the bucket 20 isreplaced with a support portion 122. Also, the insertion portion 53 ofthe wringer device 50 is replaced with an engaging portion 153. Theengaging portion 153 engages the support portion 122 when the wringerdevice 50 is placed on the bucket. Although in this embodiment thebottom, i.e., the lowest portion, of the wringer 55 is formed by adownwardly extending leg or stem, the entire wringer 55 could extenddownward to form the bottom of the wringer 55.

[0036] This second embodiment can provide advantages in addition tothose mentioned above in regard to the first embodiment. For example,because the bottom of the wringer 55 and the bottom of the engagingportion 122 are in essentially the same plane, the wringer device 50 canbe rested upright on the ground after it is removed from the bucket 20.

[0037] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specificationand examples be considered as exemplary only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning device comprising: a bucket; rollingmembers mounted on the bucket to moveably support the bucket; and awringer device that is removably positioned on the bucket, the wringerdevice including a wringer for removing liquid from a mop, a wringeractuator for actuating the wringer, and a push handle extending abovethe wringer.
 2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the rollingmembers are mounted on an underside of the bucket.
 3. The cleaningdevice of claim 1, wherein the bucket includes a liquid-containingportion and a receiving portion, the wringer device includes aninsertion portion configured to fit into the receiving portion, and,when the wringer device is disposed on the bucket, the wringer extendsinto the liquid-containing portion and the insertion portion extendsinto the receiving portion.
 4. The cleaning device of claim 3, whereinthe wringer device includes a generally planar portion, and the pushhandle and the insertion portion form at least parts of the generallyplanar portion.
 5. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein at least aportion of the wringer and the generally planar portion are formed by anintegral plastic member.
 6. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein thewringer projects from a first side of the generally planar portion. 7.The cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the wringer device includes ahook for hanging at least one object and a holder configured to hold atleast one bottle, and the hook and holder project from a second side ofthe generally planar portion.
 8. The cleaning device of claim 1, whereinthe bucket includes a liquid-containing portion and a support portion,the wringer device includes an engaging portion, and, when the wringerdevice is disposed on the bucket, the wringer extends into theliquid-containing portion and the engaging portion engages the supportportion.
 9. The cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the wringer deviceincludes a generally planar portion, and the push handle and theengaging portion form at least parts of the generally planar portion.10. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of thewringer and the generally planar portion are formed by an integralplastic member.
 11. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the wringerprojects from a first side of the generally planar portion.
 12. Thecleaning device of claim 11, wherein the wringer device includes a hookfor hanging at least one object and a holder configured to hold at leastone bottle, and the hook and holder project from a second side of thegenerally planar portion.
 13. The cleaning device of claim 1, whereinthe wringer device is configured such that the push handle extends atleast thirty inches above a surface upon which the cleaning device restswhen the wringer device is disposed on the bucket.
 14. The cleaningdevice of claim 13, wherein the wringer device is configured such thatthe push handle is disposed within a range of thirty two inches to fortyinches above the surface upon which the cleaning device rests when thewringer device is disposed on the bucket.
 15. The cleaning device ofclaim 1, wherein the push handle is disposed entirely above the wringer.16. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the push handle extendsabove the wringer actuator.
 17. The cleaning device of claim 1, whereinthe wringer device includes a hook for hanging at least one object. 18.The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the wringer device includes aholder configured to hold at least one bottle.